Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage, crumbled
- 1 large jar of pizza sauce (around 24-28 oz)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- Sliced pepperoni (enough to cover the top layer)
- Garlic bread, for serving
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausage:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 lb Italian sausage, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Prepare the sauce:
- Return the drained sausage to the skillet and add 1 large jar of pizza sauce.
- Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and oregano. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine with pasta:
- Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce and sausage mixture.
- Assemble the bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture in an even layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta layer.
- Add the remaining pasta and sauce mixture on top of the cheese layer.
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, then arrange sliced pepperoni over the cheese, covering the top evenly.
- Bake:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges.
- Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with garlic bread for the ultimate meal.
Optional Add-Ons:
- Add extra toppings like black olives, green peppers, mushrooms, or onions for a supreme pizza flavor.
- Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the top for extra cheesy goodness.
Enjoy your Pizza Pasta Bake! This hearty dish brings the best of both pizza and pasta into one delicious casserole.